In this day and age, our lives are becoming more and more busy and jam-packed with work or personal-related activities, thus leaving little to no time for enjoying outdoors activities with our pets. The good news is that more and more sports are accommodating their ways in order to allow dog owners to connect with their pups and experience a wonderful and rewarding activity outdoors.

Are you having trouble finding time to bond and strengthen the relationship you have with your dog due to long hours at work, too little free time or workouts that take up most of your day? Have you considered connecting your physical training with the time you are spending with your beloved pup? Believe it or not, there are more ways in which you can do this, aside from going for a walk or taking your dog with you when you go out jogging. One of the most fun activities you can practice with your dog is stand up paddle boarding. Yes, you read that right, take Fido out on the water and the both of you will immediately fall in love with it.

How Does It Work?

You’ve probably seen a few dogs on TV that were masters of the surfing board, there are even contests nowadays that allow the dogs to show off their skills, so why not take your dog with you the next time you go out with your stand up paddle board?

Any Dog Can Do It

Big or small, fit or husky, young or old, any dog can enjoy being on the board with its owner and benefits from all the great things that come from it. Whether you are doing it on an ocean, lake or river, stand up paddle boarding alongside your best friends is the best experience in the work.

The one thing that is truly important when you decide to take your dog out on the water is to make the first time a fun and enjoyable experience, rather than simply trying to get him to stay on the board. Dogs love their owners, and put all of their trust in them, which is why it is of utmost importance not to break that trust and make them feel comfortable.

The best way for having a successful first time on the board with your pet is to start with small steps, and practice on land or in a pool first. If you do have your mind set on starting directly in the water, don’t choose the ocean from the first day, since the waves might prove to be a little tricky for the both of you to handle. The relationship between you and your pup is also important, so make sure that the dog knows how to respond to simple commands such as “stay” before going out to practice.

Essential Aspects of Stand Up Paddle Boarding with Your Dog

Remember that safety comes first so make sure that you are having this aspect in mind and put your dog in a properly-fitted lifejacket before taking him on the water. Here are a few aspects you should have in mind, besides the life jacket:

Make sure that you always have water for your dog and let him know that he can have access to it regularly.

Being outdoors means you are exposing your dog to the sun, especially those particular breeds that have white fur or short hair. There are special vests you can use and also sunscreen crafted from ingredients that are not harmful for your pup, make sure to ask your vet about it.

Have you seen how cute dogs with glasses are? Well, if your dog has a specific sensitivity I the eye area, you might want to equip him with a pair.

Don’t let your dog drink water from the ocean as it can result in salt poisoning. A few sips won’t harm him but no more.

Don’t leave your dog unattended, not even on sand, and don’t make him run too much on the beach because running on sand is a highly exhausting activity.

Talk to your dog all the time and reassure him that he is safe with you. Let the dog experience your time together and don’t try to make it all about your exercising.

Consult your vet before going for your first stand up paddle practice and discuss any concerns you might be having.

The key for a successful experience is to know your pet and understand its fears. Some dogs have a tough time dealing with new adventures and tend to hyperventilate, ask your vet what you need to do in the event of stress-related issues.

While stand up paddle boarding with your dog is in no ways dangerous, you need to be fully aware of all the aspects that involve it, and take all the precautions so that you and Fido can enjoy your time in the sun and strengthen your relationship.

Have you already tried stand up paddle boarding with your best friend? Is your pup a master of the board? Share your experience with us and let us know how this new activity has helped you bond.

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